Bushfires

Unfortunately, Bushfires are a part of life across much of Australia. However, much can be done to prevent the inappropriate outbreak of bushfires across rural NSW through careful planning and sound policy. The lack of hazard reduction activity, particularly on public lands, is therefore of significant concern to rural landholders. The Association is keen to see the implementation of a comprehensive Government policy capable of balancing ecological objectives and fire risk minimisation to enable a sensible fire management regime across the state. As part of this regime, it is vitally important that fuel loads can be reduced without time consuming administrative processes that only exacerbate bushfire risk.

The Association has been active in Bushfires over the last year, putting in a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Bushfires in Australia, with Graham Brown giving evidence to the Senators in the inquiry. The review of the Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code in early 2011 will provide another opportunity to put forward the Association’s policy position. The Association has been providing input into the Hotspots program, investigating alternate methods of Bushfire funding and working with the Bush Fire Management Committees on a range of issues. The Association continued to push for a map-based, tenure-blind approach to fuel reduction and land management zones.

Related Issues

• Hotspots Project
  The Hotspots Fire Project is an innovative pilot project looking at how fire can be managed to conserve biodiversity and other natural assets. NSW Farmers' Association has been closely involved with the Hotspots Project since its inception, including the four trials in the Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Hawkesbury-Nepean and Central West. Click here to view the Hotspots case study features Rural Affairs Committee member Graham Brown and his experience with the Canobolas Plan.
   
• Bushfires Update
  Please click here for a brief update on Bush Fire Management Committees, Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, the Canobolas Pilot and the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code. This document is intended to provide a quick snapshot of the key reforms and reviews that have taken place in recent years.
   

• New Environmental Assessment Code
  The revised Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code took effect 1 February 2006. Instead of landholders having to negotiate their way through a raft of environmental legislation in order to carry out hazard reduction activities, the Code enables RFS officers to conduct a free environmental assessment using the Code when landholders apply for a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate. The Code has been under revision over the last year, consisting of interdepartmental committee workshops and public exhibition phases, which have resulted in many positive changes to the previous Code. The revised Code is available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

• Hazard Reduction Flowchart
  Click here to see the flow chart to show primary producers the steps to follow when they want to burn off, either for hazard reduction purposes or as a routine agricultural practice. For the latest news on bushfires including hazard reduction notices please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/.